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Auto Talk => Driving and the Law => Topic started by: 850CSi on August 27, 2005, 09:50:44 AM

Title: Let's say a guy's the first one at a light...
Post by: 850CSi on August 27, 2005, 09:50:44 AM
All  the way up to the speed limit. I've heard that cops will pull you over for that (especially if you have a really fast car) on the basis of reckless driving. Is that true?

Becuase that's the way I usually do it: If I'm the first one at a light, I'm going to floor it all the way up to the limit and then cruise at 5 over. My car isn't particularly fast, though...

Title: Let's say a guy's the first one at a light...
Post by: giant_mtb on August 27, 2005, 09:52:19 AM
I don't see why they'd pull you over...I mean maybe if you have some crazily loud exhaust system or something, but otherwise that's weird.  I've always wondered if they would pull you over for accelerating "too fast", though...  :blink:  
Title: Let's say a guy's the first one at a light...
Post by: TurboDan on August 27, 2005, 09:52:24 AM
Yeah, I think it's called "excessive display of speed" or something like that.  I usually take off from lights the same way you do, but I've never actually been pulled over for it.  

If another car is in the next lane and also takes off to beat you, they could probably get you for racing.
Title: Let's say a guy's the first one at a light...
Post by: Catman on August 27, 2005, 10:10:16 AM
In MA there's really no specific statute for what you describe.  It would have to fall under reckless operation or driving to endanger.
Title: Let's say a guy's the first one at a light...
Post by: Raza on August 27, 2005, 11:44:08 AM
Probably not.  My brother did this not too long ago, and classic him, he didn't realize that the car behind him was a 5-0 (it was at night, I'll give him that).  He blasted from 0-40 in a 35 and let off.  Cop didn't give a shit.  
Title: Let's say a guy's the first one at a light...
Post by: Raza on August 27, 2005, 11:45:44 AM
QuoteYeah, I think it's called "excessive display of speed" or something like that.  I usually take off from lights the same way you do, but I've never actually been pulled over for it.  

If another car is in the next lane and also takes off to beat you, they could probably get you for racing.
I imagine you'd get something like that for peeling out if you leave smoke and tracks and what not.  I was racing a Vette in my E320 (or rather, he was toying with me--the car had been modified and could have blown me away at any time, worse than a normal Vette) and when he got rambunctious, he started laying down tracks around corners.  That might get you in trouble.
Title: Let's say a guy's the first one at a light...
Post by: Catman on August 27, 2005, 01:49:24 PM
Quote
QuoteYeah, I think it's called "excessive display of speed" or something like that.  I usually take off from lights the same way you do, but I've never actually been pulled over for it. 

If another car is in the next lane and also takes off to beat you, they could probably get you for racing.
I imagine you'd get something like that for peeling out if you leave smoke and tracks and what not.  I was racing a Vette in my E320 (or rather, he was toying with me--the car had been modified and could have blown me away at any time, worse than a normal Vette) and when he got rambunctious, he started laying down tracks around corners.  That might get you in trouble.
Peeling out is a different story.  Here it's usually an excessive noise issue or if outrageous, reckless operation.
Title: Let's say a guy's the first one at a light...
Post by: Tom on August 27, 2005, 03:39:19 PM
I used to do that, but it when my engine revs up to the redline and then shifts at a high rpm it sounds like I'm doing the engine harm.  Now I wait atleast 15 minutes for the engine to warm up and the oil to circulate before doing any of that, and even after waiting I do 0-X runs much less often in order to save gas, engine and tranny wear, and tickets.  Plus, it kind of makes you look like an ass.
Title: Let's say a guy's the first one at a light...
Post by: dazzleman on August 28, 2005, 06:22:35 AM
It could be an issue, I think, if you burn rubber.  That could lead to a reckless driving charge on the basis that a too-quick acceleration means you don't have control of your car, and the burning rubber proves that.

This is something that would really be a judgment call.  Let's just say, if a cop wanted to pull you over for some unrelated reason, this would probably give him a handy excuse to do so.